One of the best features of the Palm OS based Treos has been the threaded SMS feature. Whether you’re a heavy SMS user or the kind that simply votes for your favorite American Idol, threaded SMS just makes a whole lotta sense. For those who don’t know, threaded SMS creates a “chat-like” thread of your SMS messages. Let’s say you exchange 25 messages with a friend, these are all neatly contained in a single thread, rather than cluttering up your Treo with messages. Like most things Treo, it also helps keep you organized. It would seem that something this important would find it’s way into the Windows Mobile version of the Palm Treo, but sadly it’s not available in either the Verizon Treo 700w and Sprint’s new Treo 700wx.
Threaded SMS does however appear in the Windows Mobile based Treo 750v, so it’s not so much a technological hurdle. In fact, yesterday some crazy kids decided to extract the application from the Treo 750v and make it available for owners of the 700w/wx. This has now been removed after the site apparently received a letter from Palm’s legal department. I understand why Palm wouldn’t want their software being illegally distributed and it’s not clear if installing this file would have any adverse affects on the Treo 700w/wx smartphones. What I don’t understand is Palm’s reluctance to offer threaded SMS to owners of the 700w/wx. Clearly, it’s a vast improvement over the current SMS solution and it’s already working on the Windows Mobile platform. Palm should embrace early adopters with a software update that offers threaded SMS capability and not list this as a reason to upgrade to the next latest, greatest Treo.
Photo courtesy of PPC Geeks
Verizon was the first to release the Palm Treo 700w, but since that time Sprint has stolen their thunder with the release of the 700wx. The ‘x’ standing for increased program memory. The new Verizon Treo 700wx wil share similar features as it’s predecessor, the Palm Treo 700w, but will see a bump in program memory.
- Windows Mobile 5 PocketPC
- Intel XScale 312MHz processor
- 800/1900MHz nationwide digital phone
- Bluetooth 1.2 wireless support
- 1.3 megapixel digital camera with 1280×1024 resolution
- 2.5mm headset jack is stereo headset compatible—requires a stereo headset adapter
- Polyphonic MIDI, MP3, WAV and video ringtones
- External ringer on/off switch w/ vibrate mode
- Full QWERTY key layout with backlighting
- Integrated number dial pad
- Support for MultiMediaCard, SD and SDIO cards
- Removable, rechargeable lithium-ion battery
- Talk time: up to 4.7 hours
- Standby time: up to 15 days
- Multi-connector on device
The Verizon Treo 700wx will feature 128MB of built-in RAM and Engadget is reporting that it will be released in December.
Source: Engadget Mobile via CrunchGear
This past year has been the most active Palm has been when it comes to releasing new Treo smartphones. Last year, Palm CEO Ed Colligan promised that in addition to the Treo 700w, Palm would release three new smartphones in 2006. To date, we’ve seen the following releases:
- Palm Treo 700w: Palm’s first foray into Windows Mobile. The Verizon Treo 700w was released in January.
- Palm Treo 700p: The follow up to the Treo 650, the 700p smartphone featured minor improvements over the Treo 650.
- Palm Treo 700wx: Almost identical to the 700w, the 700wx from Sprint features twice the program memory.
- Palm Treo 750v: Announced today, this new Treo will be available in Europe in early October and will run Windows Mobile 5.
Despite my ineptitude for mathematics, that’s a total of 4 new smartphones released by Palm this year. Truth be told, it’s more like 3 and 1/2. It is pure speculation on my part that perhaps Palm didn’t expect the release of Sprint’s Treo 700w to need the ‘x’ (added program memory) when Ed Colligan made this announcement. It would be a safe bet that Palm’s Treo 750v could find its way to the US in the form of the Treo 750 on Cingular Wireless. With Verizon and Sprint offering both new Palm OS and Windows Mobile powered Treos, Cingular has been left offering the older Palm Treo 650.
Although this year has seen more new Treos and an expansion of the product line, it seems Palm is missing the mark. Earlier this week, Palm reported disappointing preliminary forecasts due to lower Treo sales in the retail channel. Palm CEO addressed the shortfall by saying, “We will soon address the market dynamics responsible for our first-quarter revenue shortfall with two major new product launches, one that improves our pricing position and both which extend our carrier relationships throughout the global markets.”
There was a certain amount of excitement surrounding the 700w release, being the first Windows Mobile powerd Treo. Six months later, Palm followed that up with a 700p that doesn’t exactly inspire users to upgrade from their Treo 650. With the same form factor as the w/wx, it is also a catalyst for confusion among those shopping for a smartphone. Palm is also facing competition for the Motorola Q. It is a product that has redefined what people think about smartphones and it’s $200 less than both Treos. In some ways, Motorola has found the sweet spot for cellphone users looking to make the transition to a smartphone.
To some, the form factor of current line of Treos is not much different than the Treo 600. Technology moves at a pace where every 6 months there is an expectation of smaller, faster and expanded feature set is expected. It’s getting harder and harder for consumers to find a reason to upgrade to a new Treo. Meanwhile, the Motorola Q has given consumers yet another choice, only this time a sleek, thin device similar to their popular Razr. There is also greater competition from Research In Motion with the release of their new consumer Blackberry called the Pearl. According to analysts, it’s only a matter of time before Apple releases the iPhone. I’d venture to guess a launch of that magnitude will create a certain amount of excitement in the mobile space. Palm needs to regain that excitement and perhaps the remaining product launch will be Palm’s most significant.
Palm has announced a new trade in program allowing customers to receive $125 back for their Treo 650. To qualify, you have to buy a Treo 700p/w/wx smartphone at Palm at a Palm retail store and then send Palm your old device with a copy of your Palm.com invoice. They’ll send you a check back for $125 within 60 days.
The good folks at Gizmodo have posted a video comparing the Palm Treo 700w to the yet to be released Sprint Treo 700wx. As you’ll see in this video, the new 700wx is shipping with double the program memory.
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